Marking apparatus



April 8, 1958 A. J. ALESSI, JR., ET AL 2,829,589

MARKING APPARATUS Filed March 31, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 0 21 Claims. (Cl. fill-35) The present invention relates generally to marking apparatus, and more particularly is directed to apparatus for applying inked impressions to articles, cartons or the like which are successively conveyed past the apparatus.

An existing marking apparatus for the above purpose includes a frame made up of two spaced-apart side plates i= between which a die-wheel, metering roll and inking roll are rotatably journalled, with the inking roll dipping into an upwardly opening fountain or reservoir to pick up ink from the latter for application to the surface of the metering roll which, in turn, transfers the ink to the surface of the printing element on the diewheel. In such apparatus, the assembly and disassembly of the several parts, as well as the replacement of the die-wheel or of the metering and inking rolls, are time consuming operations, and the removal of the ink fountain from 5 between the side plates is similarly difiicult to accomplish. In the existing marking apparatus, the die-wheel and metering roll are adjusted radially with respect to each other for varying the contact pressure therebetween by means of eccentrics mounted in both side plates of the frame, so that the eccentrics at the opposite ends of the shafts of the die-wheel and metering roll must be individually adjusted, and it is thereby troublesome to maintain the parallelism between the axes of the shafts. Further, in the existing marking apparatus, no provision is made for circumferentially adjusting the position of the marking element on the die-wheel thereby to control the location or registration of the imprints applied to the successive conveyed articles.

The above described existing marking apparatus has the further disadvantage of being limitedin its positional relationship to the conveyed articles, that is, the marking apparatus can be adapted either for marking the bottom surfaces or the top surfaces of the articles, and any y change of the marking apparatus, from one position to the other, requires reworking of the side plates of the frame as well as the provision of different mounting brackets. Finally, in the existing marking apparatus, the gear transmission for driving the die-wheel and metering and inking rolls from the conveyor transporting the. articles to be marked, includes relatively small idler gears arranged so that the die-wheel and inking roll rotate in the direction opposed to the rotation of the metering roll therebetween, and such small idler gears have to travel at high rotational speeds, and, consequently, are noisy in operation while imposing relatively high frictional resistance to turning of the rotating parts of the marking apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, a marking apparatus is provided for the described purpose including a supporting frame side plate disposed at only one side or the other of the die-wheel, metering and inking rolls, and the ink fountain or reservoir. The side plate of the frame is arranged so that it can be disposed either atone side or theother during assembly, and the shafts for'rotatably supporting the die-wheel and the metering 2,829,589 Patented Apr. 8, 1958 and inking rolls are cantilevered, at one end, from the side plate, whereby the die-Wheel can be replaced, for example, when changing the impression to be applied to the articles, without removing any other parts of the assembly.

Further, in accordance with the present invention,

the ink fountain and the related inking roller and wipers are removable from the frame as an integral unit, thereby facilitating changes in the coloring of the markings to be applied, since separate inking units can be allocated to different color inks to avoid the necessity of thoroughly cleaning the inking unit each time a different ink is to be employed.

Other features of the marking apparatus embodying this invention reside in the provision of a simplified eccentric adjustment for the die-wheel to vary the contact between the marking elements on the die-wheel and the surface of the metering roll, as well as in the provision of an arrangement for facilitating the circumferential adjustment of the die-wheel independent of the drive transmission therefor, so that the imprints applied to the successive conveyed articles may be conveniently registered or located with respect to such articles.

in accordance with this invention, the frame and mounting bracket of the marking apparatus are constructed so that the same parts may be employed in assembling an apparatus for marking either the top surfaces or the bottomsurfaces of the conveyed articles, while the width of the imprints applied to the articles is determined only by the axial dimensions of the die-Wheel and of the meter ing and inking rolls, which are easily replaced, and require no alteration in the structure of the frame or of the mounting bracket supporting the latter.

Finally, the marking apparatus embodying the present invention includes a gear transmission for driving the die-wheel and the metering and inking rolls from an associated conveyor wherein the use of relatively small idler gears is avoided thereby to reduce the noise of operation, as well as the frictional resistance to turning of the rotated parts of the apparatus.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following de tailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and wherein: i

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a marking apparatus embodyingthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view 'of the apparatus in Fig. 1, but showing the opposite side thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse, sectional view taken line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the gear transmissionfor driving the die-wheel and the metering and inking rolls in the marking apparatus of Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the marking apparatus assembled in a manner to effect marking of the bottom surfaces of successive conveyed articles, rather than the top surfaces of such articles.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, and initially to Fig. l, 2 and 3 thereof, a marking apparatus embodying the present invention is there illustrated and generally identified by the reference numeral 10. The marking apparatus 10 includes a frame, generally identified by along the the reference numeral 12, which is assembled from a single side plate 14, a generally horizontal cross member 16, a generally vertical cross-member 18, and a bearing bracket or hanger 20.

As seen in Fig. 2, the side plate 14 includes a generally rectangular portion having substantially straight edges 22, 24 and 26 at three sides thereof, and an arm 28 extending from the fourth side and terminating at a location lying substantially on an extension of the straight edge 26. The cross-member 16 is removably secured, adjacent one or the other of its side edges, to either the edge 22 (Figs. 1 and 2) or the edge 26 (Fig. 8) of the side plate14, while the vertical cross-member 18 is removably secured, at one or the other of its side edges, to the back edge 24 of the plate 14 and, at its top edge, to the rear edge portion of the cross-member 16. The hanger is removably secured to, and depends from, the cross-member 16 adjacent the side edge of the latter remote from the'side plate 14.

The frame 12 is supported by a mounting bracket,

generally identified by the numeral 30, and including a lateral piece 32, adapted to be secured to suitable frame work either above or below an associated conveyor (not shown), and support arms 34 and 36 extending forwardly from the opposite ends of lateral piece 32 adjacent the outer surfaces of the side plate 14 and the hanger 20, respectively. The forward ends of the arms 34 and 36, and the plate 14 and hanger 20 are formed with aligned openings which receive bushings 38 and 40 (Fig. 0

4) in which shaft 42, which may be rotatably driven, is journalled. Thus, the shaft 42 can perform the dual functions of pivotally suspending the frame 12 from the mounting bracket 30 and of driving the rotated parts of the marking apparatus, as hereinafter described in detail.

As seen in Fig. 2, the arm 34 includes a downwardly extending portion 44 having bifurcated fingers 46 at its lower end to loosely receive therebetween a pin 48 extending from a plug 50 which is pressed into a suitable opening in the side plate 14 of the frame. ment screw 52 is threaded through a suitable tapped opening in the fingers 46 to hear, at one end, against the pin 48, thereby to limit the pivoting movements of the frame 12 about the axis of the supporting drive shaft 42. A nut 54 is preferably threaded on the other and portion of abutment screw 52 to prevent inadvertent turning of the screw and thereby to lock the latter in an adjusted position.

In order to urge the frame 12 to swing or pivot about the axis of the supporting drive shaft 42 in the direction moving the arm 28 of side plate 14 toward the path of the conveyed articles, a helical tension spring 56 is secured at its opposite ends to anchoring pins 58 and 60 extending'from the side plate 14 and the mounting bracket arm 34, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the marking apparatus 10 includes a die or marking wheel assembly, generally identified by the reference numeral 62, which is mounted upon a shaft 64- supported, at only one of its ends, in the arm 28 extending from side plate 14 of the frame. In order to secure the shaft 64 to the arm 28, the shaft is provided with a fixed or integral collar 66 adjacent a threaded end portion which extends through a suitable opening in the arm 28 and receives. a securing nut 68. Thus, the arm 28 is normally gripped between the fixed collar 66 of the shaft and the nut 68, while the shaft 64 and the related die wheel assembly 62 thereon can be conveniently removed as a unit from the frame 12, merely by removing the nut 68.

The die-wheel assembly 62 includes a sleeve 70 rotatable on the shaft 64 and having a cylindrical outer surface which is eccentric with respect to its cylindrical inner surface, and hencewith respect to the axis of the shaft 64. A shell 72 is rotatable upon the outer surface An abutof the eccentric sleeve 70 and includes a relatively small diameter outer surface portion which is threaded, as at 74. A cylindrical hollow body 76 is disposed upon a relatively large diameter, smooth outer surface portion of the shell 72 and has an integral collar or radially outward directed flange 78 at the end closest to the side plate 14 of the frame. Normally, the cylindrical body 76 would be rotatable relative to the shell 72, and an arrangement is provided for clamping or securing the body 76 relative to the shell 72 so as to rotate with the latter. This arrangement includes a resilient, compressible ring 80, preferably formed of rubber, which is disposed between the inner end of the reduced diameter outer surface portion of the shell 72, and the inner surface of the body 76 adjacent the end of the latter having the flange 78. A knurled nut 82 is fitted on the threaded portion 74 of shell 72, and a thin metal spacer ring 84 is interposed axially between the nut 82 and the resilient, compressible ring 80. The ring is dimensioned so that normally it will not interfere with the rotational adjustment of the body 76 relative to the shell 72. However, when the nut 82 is turned on the shell 72 in the direction moving the nut 82 axially toward the ring 80, the spacer ring 84, which is dimensioned to fit inside the internal surface of the body 76, bears axially against the compressible ring 80, causing the latter to expand radially outward against the inner surface of the body 76 and thereby clamping the body 76 with respect to the shell 72. In order to prevent inadvertent rotation of the knurled nut 82, a set screw 86 is threadably extended through the nut 82, adjacent the periphery of the latter, and is adapted to bear against the flange 78. Thus, after the rotational or circumferential adjustment of the body 76 relative to the shell 72 has been effected, the set screw 86 is moved against the flange 78 to assist the compressible ring 80 in resisting rotational displacement of the body 76 relative to the shell 72, and also to remove any play between the threads of the nut 82 and of the portion 74 of the shell. The adjusted set screw, 86 also functions to fix the position of the body 76 axially with respect to the shaft 64.

The arrangement for securing marking elements, for example, rubber type or logo-type, on the body 76 is preferably similar to that described in detail in United States Letters Patent No. 2,643,609, issued June 30, 1953,

to Ira S. Gottscho and accordingly includes a series of metal locking rings 88 which, at their peripheries, are formed to grip therebetween tie-elements extending from the backs of the type 90. The metal locking rings 88 may be held against rotation relative to the body 76 by a key and slot arrangement 92 and, where a relative narrow imprint is to be applied, the axial space between the end of the series of rings 88 and a bearer rim 94 on the body 76 may be taken up by a spacer 96. The end of body 76 remote from the flange 78 is externally threaded and receives a knurled clamping nut 98 for axially compacting the locking rings 88, the spacer 96, and the bearer rim 94 between the flange 78 and the nut 98. As is more fully described in the above identified patent, the axial compacting of the several elements serves to secure the type to the periphery of the rings 88.

If desired, and particularly when the marking apparatus 10 is to be driven by the contact of the die-wheel assembly with the articles being conveyed therepast, the peripheries of the flange 78, which may act as a bearer rim, and the bearer rim 94 are knurled or otherwise roughened-to ensure adequate friction between the bearer rims and the articles being marked.

In order to permit convenient adjustment of the rotational position of the eccentric sleeve 70 relative to the fixed shaft 64, a circular plate 100 is keyed, or otherwise non-rotatably secured, to the outer or free end of shaft 64 and is formed with an arcuate slot-102through which a pin 104 extends from a knob 106, into'a suitable axial bore in the eccentric sleeve 7.0. The knurled knob 106 is adapted to be locked relative to the shaft 64 by a knurled knob 108 having an axial stem 110 extending loosely through a central bore of the knob 106 and into a suitable tapped bore at the free end of the shaft 64. Thus, when it is desired to circumferentially adjust the eccentric sleeve 70 relative to the shaft 64, the knob 108 is turned in the direction to release the knob 106, and the latter is then turned in one direction or the other to rotate the sleeve 70 relative to the shaft 64, with the opposite ends of the arcuate slot 102 in the plate 100 cooperating with the pin 104 in order to limit the rotational adjustment of the sleeve relative to the shaft.

The marking apparatus embodying this invention further includes a metering roll assembly (Figs. 1 and 5) which is generally identified by the reference numeral 112. The metering roll assembly 112 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 114 (Fig. 5) which is carried, at one end, by the side plate 14 of the frame. As in the case of the previously described shaft 64, the shaft 114 is provided with a fixed collar 116 adjacent the supported end thereof, with the supported end extending through a suitable opening in the side plate 14 to receive a securing not 118 so that the side plate 14 is normally clamped between the collar 116 and the nut 118. In accordance with this invention, the openings in the plate 14 whichrespectively receive the bearing 38 of the drive shaft 42 and the plug 50 carrying the pin 48 (Figs. 4 and 6) are symmetrically located with respect to the opening in the side plate 14 which receives the shaft 114 for a purpose hereinafter described in detail.

Mounted on the shaft 114 is a bushing or bearing 120 rotatably carrying a metering roll 122 which, at its periphery, is in rolling contact with the marking elements or type 90 carried by the die-wheel assembly 62 between the flange 78 and the bearer rim 94 of the latter. It is apparent that rotational adjustment of the eccentric sleeve 70 of the die-wheel assembly relative to the fixed shaft 64, in the manner described in detail above, serves to move the axis of rotation of the die-wheel body 76 toward and away from the axis of rotation of the metering roll 122, thereby to effectively vary the pressure or degree of contact between the metering roll and the marking elements or type.

The purpose of the metering roll assembly 112 is to effect the transfer of ink from an ink supplying unit, generally identified by the reference numeral 124, to the inking or raised surface of the marking elements 90. The

ink supplying unit 124 (Figs. 1 and 6) includes an up wardly opening fountain or reservoir 126 having suitable bearings 128 in the opposite side walls thereof to rotatably support a laterally extending shaft 130 on which an inking roll 132 is secured to dip into a supply of ink held within the fountain 126. The fountain 126 is .removably mounted upon the frame 12, in a manner hereinafter indicated in detail, so that the periphery of the inking roll 132 is in rolling contact with the periphery of the metering roll 122. Thus, as the die-wheel assembly 62, the metering roll assembly 112 and the inking roll 132 are rotated at the same peripheral speed, the roll 132 picks up ink from the fountain 126 and applies the ink to the surface of the metering roll 122 which, in turn, transfers the ink to the surfaces of the marking elements or type 90 on the die-wheel assembly, while such marking elements or type apply corresponding inked impressions to the articles or the like conveyed past the marking apparatus.

In the marking apparatus 10, the arrangement for removably mounting the ink supplying unit 124 upon the frame 12 includes a mounting bracket 134 (Fig. 1) secured to the front face of the vertical cross-member 18 at a location midway between the upper and lower edges of'the member 18. The bracket 134 has lugs 136 and 138 (Fig. 6) extendingforwardly from the opposite ends thereof and adapted to lieagainst the surfaces of upwardly 6 projecting ears 140 and 142, respectively, extending from the rear portions of the side walls of fountain 126. Preferably, the lugs 136 and 138 lie against the surfaces of the ears 140 and 142 facing toward the side plate 14 of the frame so that when the fountain is moved away from the side plate 14, its ears 140 and 142 will be separated from the lugs 136 and 138, respectively. The lug 136 carries a pin 144 which is adapted to extend into a suitable opening in the ear 140, while a removable bolt 146 extends through aligned openings in the lug 138 and ear 142 and, at its end remote from the side plate 14 of the frame, receives a knurled nut 150. Thus, normally, the fountain 126 is pivotally suspended from the frame 12 by the pin 144 cooperating with the lug 136 and ear 140 and by the bolt 146 cooperating with the lug 138 and car 142. However, when the knurled nut 150 is removed from the bolt 146, the fountain 126 can be laterally shifted away from the side plate 14 thereby to disengage the pin 144 and the bolt 146 from the ears 140 and 142, respectively, so that the ink supplying unit 124 can be bodily removed from the remainder of the marking apparatus.

In order to establish the position of the fountain 126 about the axis defined by the pin 144 and the bolt 146, and thereby to adjust the pressure or degree of contact between the inking roll 132 and the metering roll 122, an abutment screw 152 is threaded through the crossmember 18 of the frame and, at its inner end, bears against the back wall of the fountain 126 (Fig. 1). The abutment screw 152, at its outer end, is provided with a knurled head to facilitate its adjustment, and a knurled nut 154 is threaded upon the screw 152 and adapted to bear against the back surface of cross-member 18 in order to lock the abutment screw 152 in its adjusted position.

As seen in Fig. l, the front wall, and the front portions of the side walls of the fountain 126 are out down so that the forward portion of the fountain can extend under the metering roll 122 and collect any excess ink dripping from the latter, and particularly at the location of the line of contact between the metering roll 122 and the inking roll 132. Further, as seen in Fig. 1, the ink supplying unit 124 includes wipers, generally identified by the reference numeral 156, which are mounted upon the confronting surfaces of the forward portions of the side walls of fountain 126. Each of the wipers 156 includes a metal, preferably resilient, strip 158 having a leather or other flexible pad 160 secured at one end to engage the adjacent side surfaces of the metering roll 122 and inking roll 132 at the location of the line of contact of such rolls. Preferably, each pad 160 is formed with a V-shaped notch at the edge thereof facing in the direction opposed to the rotation of the rolls 122 and 132 therebyto direct the ink wiped from the side surfaces of the roll back into the fountain 126. In the illustrated embodmient, the end of each strip 158 remote from the pad 160 is formed with a longitudinally opening slot embodiment, the end of each strip 153 remote from the side wall of fountain 12,6, and a screw 164 extends through the side wall of the fountain and is removably threaded into a suitably tapped opening in the strip 158. Thus, the screw 164 and the pin 162 cooperate to positionally locate the wiper 156 relative to the fountain 126, and hence relative to the rolls 122 and 132. Further, it is apparent that, by removing the screw 164, the related wiper 156 may be easily removed from the ink supplying unit. i

When the various described assemblies and units of the marking apparatus 10 are arranged relative to each other in the manner indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus 10 is adapted to mark the top surfaces of succesive articles, cartons and the like which are conveyed along a path below the marking apparatus in the direction of the arrow 166 on Fig. 1. During such marking of the conveyed articles, the die-wheel assembly 62, the metering roll 122 and the inking roll 132 are rotated in the directions indicated by the respective arrows appearing thereon in Fig. 1. Such rotation of the die-Wheel and the metering and inking rolls may be effected either by the frictional contact of the bearer rims of the die-wheel assembly with the successive conveyed articles or by the rotation of the drive shaft 42 at a rotational speed which is synchronized with the movements of the conveyed articles. In the latter case, the drive shaft 42 is preferably driven by any suitable means (not shown), for example, a chain and sprocket drive, from the same prime mover driving the associated conveyor. in any case, a gear transmission, illustrated in Fig. 7 and there generally identified by the reference numeral 168 is provided for'the purpose of interrelating the rotational movements of the die-wheel and the metering and inking rolls.

Since the article being marked by the type 90 on the die-wheel assembly 62 may extend laterally beyond the die-wheel in the direction toward the side plate 14 of,

the frame, it is apparent that any gear attached to the die-wheel assembly should preferably have a maximum diameter smaller than the diameters of the bearer rims 78 and 94. However, once such a gear is associated with the die-wheel assembly 62, the rotation of the die- Wheel assembly, and the metering and inking rolls at the same peripheral speeds can no longer be achieved by simple meshing gears associated with each of the rotated parts. In order to avoid the use of small idler gears between the gears associated with the die-wheel and the metering'and inking rolls, such small idler gears being noisy in operation and imposing relatively high frictional resistance to rotation of the die-wheel and rolls, the gear train 168 employed in the marking apparatus preferably includes a gear 170 (Figs. 4 and 7) which is keyed or otherwise secured to the shell 72 of the diewheel assembly and which, as previously indicated, has a maximum or outer diameter smaller than the diameters of the bearer rims 78 and 94 of the die-wheel assembly 62. The gear train 168 further includes a relatively large gear 172 (Figs. 5 and 7) which is freely rotatable on the bushing 120 carrying the metering roll 122 and meshes with the gear 170. The relatively large gear 172 also meshes with a gear 174 (Figs. 6 and 7) having the same pitch diameter as the gear 170 and fixed to the shaft 130 of the inking roll 132. Thus, the inking roll 132, which has the same outer diameter as the diameter of the bearer rims 78 and 94 of the die-wheel assembly, is rotated at the same peripheral speed as the latter. A gear 176 (Figs. 6 and 7) having a pitch diameter equal to the outer diameter of the inking roll 132 is also secured to the shaft 130 of the latter and meshes with a gear 178 (Figs. 5 and 7) which has a pitch diameter equal to the outer diameter of the metering roll 122 and is secured to the latter, so that the metering roll will, in turn, be rotated at the same peripheral speed as the inking roll.

When the die-wheel assembly, and the metering and ink-rolls are to be rotated from the drive shaft 42, a gear 180 (Figs. 4 and 7) is secured to the shaft 42 and meshes with the gear 172 rotating freely on the bushing 120 carried by the shaft 114. Preferably, the pitch diameter of the gear 186} on the drive shaft is the same as the pitch diameter of the gear 170 associated with the die-wheel assembly so that a single revolution of the drive shaft 42 will result in a single complete revolution of the die-wheel assembly 62, thereby simplifying syn chronization of the peripheral speed of the die-Wheel assembly with the speed of the conveyed article, particularly when the shaft 42 and the conveyor are both driven from the same power source.

As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, oil cups 182 and 184 are preferably provided on the shafts 64 and 114, respectively, to supply lubricant, through suitable internal passages shown in broken lines, to the contacting surfaces of the shaft 64, eccentric sleeve 70 and shell 72, and to the contacting surfaces of the shaft 114 and the bushing 120,

respectively. Further, conventional ball-type oilers 186 are provided in the support arms 34 and 36 of mounting bracket 30 to supply lubricant to the bushings 38 and 40 rotatably supporting the shaft 42, and similar balltype oilers 188 are provided in the side walls of the fountain 126 to supply lubricant to the bearings 128 rotatably supporting the shaft on which the inking roll 132 is mounted. The above described provisions for effecting lubrication of the several rotating parts of the apparatus 10 make it possible to operate the latter for extended periods of time without requiring any interruption of the operation for lubrication or other maintainence.

Preferably, an arcuate guard 190 (Figs. 1 and 2) is secu ed to the side plate 14 of the frame 12 and has its outer periphery concentric with the axis of shaft 114, with the radius of curvature of the outer periphery of the guard 190 being greater than the outer radius of the gear 172 so that the guard 190 prevents inadvertent contact with the gear 172.

The parts making up the marking apparatus 10 may be arranged as described above and as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings, so that apparatus is adapted to apply inked impressions or markings to the top surfaces of articles, cartons or the like conveyed, along a path extending below the marking apparatus, and with the die-wheel assembly 62 and the metering roll assembly 112 being supported by the frame side plate 14 at the left hand ends of the related shafts 64 and 114, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5. However, it is apparent that, if the situation requires, the positions of the side plate 14 and hanger 20 of the frame 12 may be reversed with respect to the cross-member 16 and the die-wheel assembly 62, the metering roll assembly 112 and the ink supplying units 124 can then be arranged at the side of the plate 14 opposite to the locations illustrated in the drawings, so that the die-wheel assembly and the metering roll assembly are supported at their right hand ends, rather than their left hand ends, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, and such alteration can be accomplished without any reworking or changes in the several assemblies or units.

Further, it is apparent that the lengths of the diewheel, and the metering and inking rolls determine the width of the marking that may be applied to the conveyed articles and, since the die-wheel assembly and the metering roll assembly are supported at only one end, the lengths of such assemblies can be increased or decreased, as required, without requiring any change in the frame 12 or its mounting bracket 30.

Finally, reference to Fig. 8 of the drawing will show that the several assemblies and units making up the apparatus 10 described above can be arranged relative to each other in order to adapt the apparatus 10 for marking of the bottom surfaces of successive articles, cartons or the like which are conveyed past the marking apparatus along a path, indicated by the arrow 192 on Fig. 8, extending above the marking apparatus.

When the marking apparatus 10 is to be assembled, as in Fig. 8, for the purpose of marking the bottom surfaces of cartons, articles and the like, the side plate 14 of the frame 12 is inverted, so that the edge 26 thereof is uppermost while the edge 22 forms the lower edge of the frame, and the cross-member 16 is secured to the edge 26 of the side plate. Since the openings in the side plate 14 which receive the bearing 38 for the shaft 42 and the plug 50 carrying the pin 48 lie on a'line normal to the edge 26 of side plate 14 and are symmetrical about the opening which receives the shaft 114 carrying the metering roll assembly, and since the bracket 134 which mounts the ink supplying unit 124 on the cross-member 18 is disposed midway between the upper .and' lower edges of the member 18, with the axis of shaft 130 substantially coinciding. with the axis of pin 48, it is apparent that the positions of the shaft 42 and plug 50 may be reversed in the respective openings of the side plate 14 without altering the contacting relationship between the inking roll 132 and the metering roll 122. Further, the symmetrical arrangement of the openings in the plate 14 for receiving the bearing 38 of the shaft 42 and the plug 50 with respect to the opening receiving the shaft 114 ensures that the gear 180 on the driving shaft 42 will mesh with the gear 172 rotatable on the shaft 114 when the apparatus is assembled either to mark the top surfaces of the conveyed articles, as in Figs. 1 and 2, or to mark the bottom surfaces of the conveyed articles, as in Fig. 8.

While reference is made in the foregoing description and in the appended claims to the marking of successive articles, cartons and the like, it is to be understood that the apparatus in accordance with this invention is equally capable of applying markings to sheet or web material suitably supported and continuously or intermittently advanced in contact with the die wheel.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the construction various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Marking apparatus comprising a frame, a die-wheel, means rotatably mounting said die-wheel on the frame so that the periphery of said wheel projects beyond an edge of the frame for marking contact with successive articles conveyed along a path extending generally parallel to said edge, a metering roll, means rotatably mounting said metering roll on the frame with said metering roll in rolling contact with said die-wheel, said frame having two equal openings therein which are symmetrically located with respect to a line extending through the axis of said metering roll parallel to said edge, an ink supplying unit including an inking roll, means mounting said ink supplying uniton said frame so that said inking roll is in rolling contact with said metering roll to apply ink to the latter for transfer, by said metering roll, to said die-wheel, a mounting bracket for said frame, means engaging in a selected one of said openings pivotally supporting said frame on said bracket, and means angularly positioning said frame relative to said bracket, the axis of rotation of said inking roll being aligned with the other of said openings so that said frame may be inverted relative to said bracket to position the die-wheel for marking of conveyed articles from above or below.

2. Marking apparatus comprising a frame, a die-wheel rotatably mounted on said frame with the periphery of said die-wheel projecting beyond at least one edge of the frame for marking contact with successive articles conveyed along a path extending generally parallel to said one edge, a metering roll rotatably mounted on said frame with the metering roll in rolling contact with said die-wheel, said frame having two equal openings therein which are symmetrically located with respect ltO a line extending through the axis of said metering roll parallel to said edge, an ink supplying unit including an upwardly opening fountain and a rotatable inking roll dipping into said fountain, means pivotally mounting said ink supplying unit on said frame for swinging relative [to the latter about an axis located in a plane which is parallel to said one edge of the frame and passes through the axis of rotation of said metering roll, means for angularly positioning saidink "supplying unit'relative to said frame 'so that said inking roll isin rolling contact with said metering roll, a mounting bracket for supporting said frame adjacent the path of conveyed articles, and means engaging in a selected one of said openings pivotally mounting said frame on said bracket for swinging relative to the latter, lthe axis of said inking roll being substantially aligned with the other of said openings so that said frame can be arranged relative to said bracket to adapt the apparatus for the marking of articles from above or from below.

3. Marking apparatus comprising a frame: including a flat side plate having two straight parallel edges and a third straight edge extending at right angles between said two parallel edges, and right angularly related crossmembers removably secured to said side plate along a selected one of said parallel edges and along said third edge, respectively, and extending normal to the plane of said side plate at one side of the latter; a diewheel assembly rotatably mounted, at one end, on said side plate and extending to said one side of the latter at a location adjacent one of said parallel edges so that the periphery of the die-wheel assembly projects beyond said one edge of the side plate for marking anticles conveyed along a path generally parallel to said one edge; a metering roll assembly rotatably mounted, at one end, on said side plate and extending to said one side of the latter in rolling contact with said die-wheel assembly, and with the axis of rotation of said metering roll assembly being disposed midway between said two parallel edges of the side plate; said side plate having two equal openings therein sym metrically located with respect to the medial line of said side plate parallel to said two parallel edges of the latter; an ink supplying unit pivotally mounted on the one of said cross-members extending along said third edge of the side plate for swinging about an axis midway between said two parallel edges of the side plate and including an inking roll in rolling contact with said metering roll and having its axis aligned with the lower of said openings; and mounting means engaging in the upper of said openings pivotally supporting said frame so that the pivoting axis of said frame relative to said mounting means and the axis of rotation of said inking roll are disposed symmetrically with respect to said axis of rotation of the metering roll assembly to permit said side plate to be disposed with said one edge thereof either uppermost or lowermost to adapt the apparatus for the marking of articles from below or from above, respectively. t

4. Marking apparatus according to claim 3; wherein said die-wheel assembly includes a shaft removably secured at said one end in said side plate, an eccentric sleeve adjustably rotatable on said shaft, a. cylindrical shell rotatable on the outer surface of said eccentric sleeve, means for rotating said shell, a die-wheel body on said shell and adjustably rotatable relative to the latter, means for securing said body relative to said shell, means for supporting marking elements on said die-wheel body, and means for angularly adjusting said eccentric sleeve relative to said shaft for varying the degree of contact between said metering roll assembly and marking elements on said die-wheel body.

5. Marking apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said means for securing said body relative to said shell includes a resilient ring disposed between said body and shell and dimensioned to normally permit relative rotation of the latter, a locking nut threaded on said shell to move axially along the latter when said locking nut is rotated, and a spacer ring on said shell between said locking nut and said resilient ring to axially compress the latter in response to rotation of said nut in one direction, whereby said resilient ring is radially expanded and secures said body on said shell.

6. Marking apparatus according to claim 5; wherein said means for securingsaid .body relative to said shell further includes an abutment screw threaded axially 11 through said locking nut to abut against said body thereby to hold said locking nut against rotation relative to said shell and to axially position said body on said shell.

7. Marking apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said means for angularly adjusting said eccentric sleeve relative to said shaft includes an actuating knob rotatable on the free end of saidshaft, a pin extending axially from said actuating knob and secured to said eccentric sleeve so that turning of said knob effects rotation of said sleeve relative to said shaft, and means for locking said knob relative to said shaft.

8. Marking apparatus according to claim 7; wherein said means for angularly adjusting said eccentric sleeve relative to said shaft further includes a plate fixed to said free end of the shaft and having an arcuate slot through which said pin extends so that said arcuate slot limits the angular adjustment of said knob and eccentric sleeve relative to said shaft.

9. Marking apparatus according to claim 3; wherein said frame further includes a hanger depending from the one of said cross-members extending along a selected one of the parallel edges of the side plate; and wherein said mounting means includes a mounting bracket having support arms extending therefrom alongside said hanger and side plate, respectively, said hanger and support arms having openings aligned with said upper opening of said side plate, a shaft journalled in said openings of the hanger and support arms and said upper opening of the side plate and defining the pivoting axis of said frame, a removable abutment supported in said lower opening of the side plate and interchangeable with said shaft, and adjustable means carried by one of said support arms and engageable with said removable abutment to limit the swinging of said frame relative to said mounting bracket.

10. Marking apparatus according to claim 9; further comprising a spring connected between said mounting bracket and said frame to yieldably urge the latter to swing in the direction engaging said removable abutment with said adjustable limit means.

11. Marking apparatus according to claim 3; wherein said ink supplying unit includes an upwardly opening ink fountain having a shaft rotatably mounted in the sides thereof to support said inking roll with the latter dipping into a supply of ink in the fountain, a bracket removably secured to said one cross-member, means pivotally supporting said fountain from said bracket for swinging about said axis midway between the parallel edges of the side plate, and an abutment screw threaded through said one cross-member and engageable with said fountain to position the latter relative to said frame and thereby to control the degree of contact between said inking roll and the metering roll assembly.

12. Marking apparatus according to claim 11; wherein said means pivotally supporting the fountain from said bracket includes apertured ears extending upwardly from the sides of said fountain, apertured lugs extending from said bracket and disposable against the surfaces of said ears facing toward said side plate of the frame, a pin carried by the lug closest to said side plate and received in the adjacent apertured ear, a bolt extending through the other lug and adjacent ear in the direction away from said side plate, and a nut on said bolt at the side of the related ear away from said side plate so that when said nut is removed said ears can be slipped-off said pin and bolt to effect the bodily removal of said ink supplying unit from the remainder of the marking apparatus.

13. Marking apparatus according to claim 11; wherein said ink supplying unit further includes wipers mounted on the sides of said fountain and engageable with the adjacent end surfaces of said inking roll and metering roll assembly at the line of rolling contact therebetween for directing excess ink from said line of contact back into said fountain;

14. Marking apparatus according to claim 3; further comprising a gear transmission for synchronizing the rotation of said die-wheel assembly, said metering roll assembly and said inking roll, said gear transmission including a first gear fixed to said die-wheel assembly and having an outer diameter substantially smaller than that of said die-wheel assembly thereby to avoid contact of said first gear with articles being marked, a second relatively large gear meshing with said first gear and mounted coaxially with said metering roll assembly for rotation relative to the latter, a third gear fixed to said inking roll and having the same pitch diameter as said first gear, said third gear meshing with said second gear so that said inking roll is driven at the same rotational speed as said die-wheel assembly, a fourth gear fixed to said inking roll and meshing with a fifth gear fixed to said metering roll assembly to drive the latter from said inking roll, said fourth and fifth gears having the same pitch diameter equal to the diameter of said inking roll, and said diewheel assembly, metering roll assembly and inking roll all having the same outer diameter so that they are rotated at the same peripheral speeds.

l5. Marking apparatus according to claim 14; wherein said mounting means for the frame includes a rotated drive shaft engaging in said upper opening of the side plate, and said gear transmission includes a sixth gear on said drive shaft meshing with said second gear to drive the latter, said sixth gear having the same pitch diameter as said first gear to facilitate synchronization of the peripheral speed of said die-wheel assembly with the speed at which the articles to be marked are conveyed past the marking apparatus.

16. In marking apparatus havinga die-wheel adapted to support marking elements on the periphery thereof, a metering roll in rolling contact with the die-wheel, and an inking roll in rolling contact with the metering roll to apply ink to the latter for transfer to the marking elements on the die-wheel; a gear transmission for synchronizing the rotation of the die-wheel and metering and inking rolls comprising a first gear fixed to the die-wheel and having a maximum diameter smaller than that of the die-Wheel so as to avoid interference with articles marked by the diewheel, a second relatively large gear meshing with said first gear and mounted coaxially with the metering roll for rotation relative to the latter, a third gear fixed to the inking roll and meshing with said second gear, a fourth gear also fixed to the inking roll, and a fifth gear fixed to the metering roll and meshing with said fourth gear.

17. In marking apparatus; a gear transmission according to claim 16; wherein the die-wheel and the metering and inking rolls all have the same diameter; and wherein said first and third gears have the same pitch diameters, and said fourth and fifth gears have pitch diameters equal to the diameters of the inking and metering rolls so that the die-wheel and the metering and inking rolls are all rotated at the same peripheral speeds.

18. In marking apparatus; the combination of a frame including a side plate, a shaft secured at one end in said side plate and extending perpendicular to the latter, a sleeve having eccentric inner and outer cylindrical surfaces and fitted rotatably on said shaft, a cylindrical shell rotatable on said sleeve with the axis of rotation of said shell being defined by the axis of said outer surface of the eccentric sleeve, means for rotatably driving said shell, a cylindrical die-wheel body fitting over at least a portion of said shell and adapted to support marking elements, said body being rotatable relative to said shell to effect registering movement of the marking elements independent of said drive means, means for securing said body to said shell, and means operable from the free end of said shaft to effect angular adjustment of said eccentric sleeve relative to said shaft thereby to vary the position of the axis of rotation of said shell and body.

19. In marking apparatus; the combination according to claim 18, wherein said shell and body define an annular recess therebetween opening in one axial direction, and said means for securing said body to said shell includes a resilient compressible ring fitting loosely in said annular recess, a locking nut threaded on said shell adjacent said recess, and a spacer ring between said nut and compressible ring so that, when said nut is turned on said shell in the direction causing axial movement of the nut toward said recess, said spacer ring axially compresses said compressible ring to efiect radial expansion of the latter into clamping engagement with said shell and body.

20. In marking apparatus; the combination according to claim 19, wherein said means for securing said body to said shell further includes an abutment screw threaded through said locking nut and adapted to bear against said body thereby to axially position the latter on said shell and to resist rotation of said locking nut.

21. In marking apparatus; the combination according to claim 18; wherein said means for effecting angular adjustment of said eccentric sleeve relative to said shaft includes a locking knob having a stem threaded axially into the free end of said shaft, an actuating knob rotatable on said stem, an annular disc fixed on the free end of said shaft and having an arcuate slot, and an eccentric pin extending from said actuating knob through said slot and secured to said sleeve so that the latter will turn with said actuating knob relative to said shaft, with said slot determining the limits of the angular movement of said sleeve relative to the shaft, and so that said locking knob, when turned in one direction, clamps said actuating knob and sleeve in any adjusted position. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,006,204 Lifsitz June 25, 1935 2,539,068 Funk Ian. 23, 1951 2,635,531 Bruce Apr. 21, 1953 2,641,999 Jackson June 16, 1953 2,643,609 Gottscho June 30, 1953 2,655,103 Hirschey Oct. 13, 1953 2,660,115 Ras Nov. 24, 1953 2,720,162 Currivan et a1 Oct. 11, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 274,257 Switzerland June 16, 1951 

